5 Bold Predictions For The 2024 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is one of my favorite events on the calendar. It’s a time when fans can yell at their GMs for making what they believe to be the wrong pick or applaud their team for making the right moves. It’s also a time when we can make a little money. The draft is sure to bring us plenty of surprises throughout the seven rounds, and in this article, I am going to give you my five bold predictions on what we could see happen during the 2024 NFL Draft!
*in no particular order*
Brandon Aiyuk Is Traded To Jacksonville:
With rumors swirling about Brandon Aiyuk potentially wanting out from San Francisco, don’t be surprised if they pull the trigger on a trade during the NFL Draft. If there is a team that I could see being a dance partner on a trade, it is the Jacksonville Jaguars. This team lost Calvin Ridley to Tennessee this off-season, leaving them with a huge hole at the WR1 spot. Aiyuk and Trevor Lawrence would be a very fun combination, and the Jags should do what they can to surround Lawrence with talent while he’s still on his rookie deal.
The Los Angeles Chargers Don’t Make The Sexy Pick:
Yes, I know that the starting receivers for the Chargers entering the 2024 NFL Draft are Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Derius Davis. Yes, I am aware that this room is probably the worst in the NFL. However, newly hired Jim Harbaugh has spoken about how he wants to build through the trenches, and there would be no better guy to select at fifth overall than Joe Alt to accomplish this. This would likely set Chargers Twitter ablaze, as they are clamoring for Malik Nabers, but don’t be shocked if this pick ends up being Alt.
Indianapolis Makes A Huge Move To Take Top TE:
The Indianapolis Colts are in such an intriguing spot. This team lost Anthony Richardson to a shoulder injury early last season, but still somehow found a way to finish the year 9-8 and was a fourth and one dropped pass from advancing to the Wild Card round. I believe the main focus in this draft is to get Richardson some more help, and there may not be a better guy to do so than Brock Bowers. In this prediction, the Colts move up to nine, ahead of the Jets, to take Bowers. Bowers, profile here, can do it all and will be the best security blanket for a returning Richardson.
Las Vegas Misses Out At Top QB Talent But Takes Late Flier:
I’m not 100 percent sure we can take the Las Vegas Raiders seriously with a QB room of newly acquired Gardner Minshew and Aiden O’Connell. They should be serious candidates to move up to get either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, but I doubt they have the firepower to do so, especially with Minnesota sitting there with two firsts. Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix will be gone by 44 I believe, leaving them out of the race for the top six. However, they are going to take Joe Milton in the fourth round of the draft, taking a flier on the strong-armed QB from Tennessee. (If Al Davis was still here, he would take Milton at 13).
Running Backs Don’t Hear Their Name Called Early, But Often Later:
Last season, we saw not one, but two Running Backs go in the first round. In the 2024 NFL Draft, my last bold prediction is that we do not hear a single running back called in the first two rounds of the draft. This is perceived as a down year for the position, so you should be able to get a really solid guy at the end of day two or even day three. I have a feeling someone is going to reach early for a Running Back, looking at you Dallas, screwing this prediction up.
Honorable Mention:
- Dallas takes a QB early in this draft, as does New Orleans.
- Buffalo doesn’t go receiver in round one
- Denver reaches for Bo Nix, setting them back even further
- Troy Fautanu finds his way into the top 15
- San Francisco takes another really bad RB in the third round
- Ricky Pearsall is the first receiver selected in the second round
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